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build the upper one first and then you can use any supporting beams/posts for the lower one to attach to. think of it as two separate decks and anything you can use off of the other one is a bonus. keep it simple. dont overthink or over plan it
Thanks thermo! I have thought of many ways of doing it, however Ive been told that to add more fixings to original posts will weaken the vertical and lateral strength of both decks. Americans very good but dosent seem to be many UK sites or books about this. Even well known building suppliers come up with different solutions which I feel may not be safe.
hi simon
it is true that the more fixings into a post inline could possible increase the risk of it splitting but this depends on loads of factors.
if your doing a 2 level deck then increase the post width on the line which will be picking up the lower section (if your using 4inch then increase the line holding 2 sections to 5 or 6 ) & on the sections of frame work drill and bolt the joist + post using a double sided pin plate between and a squaree washer on nut end which will help cut down on fixings and give a really strong friction joint.
Thanks Neal for your advice! I have already built the upper deck which is 4ft above the ground and the customer has asked if I can add a lower deck 2ft below.. I have used 6 4x4inch support posts for the upper deck with the rear end attached to a ledger board on an outbuilding. Would it suffice to use the same amount of posts on the lower deck with a ledger attached to the front 3 upper deck posts using one bolt on each and pin plate/ I hope im making sense - difficult without a diagramn.
i take it he has got planning permission for the deck at that height?
Hi Thermo - yes planning permission obtained as more than 600mm off ground.
excellent, normally 300mm though. see so many decks where people dont even realise they need the permission
Hi Simon
to me that would be fine as all your doing is tying the 2 decks into each other and using a bolt drilled 2ft lower than the upper fixings, this will not cause any weakness or risk of splitting the post.
Many thanks Neal - I will post a pic when im done!